pinpoint

1 of 3

noun

pin·​point ˈpin-ˌpȯint 

1

: something that is extremely small or insignificant

2

: the point of a pin

3

: an extremely small or sharp point

pinpoint

2 of 3

adjective

1

: extremely fine or precise

2

: located, fixed, or directed with extreme precision

pinpoint targets

3

: small as a pinpoint

pinpoint

3 of 3

verb

pinpointed; pinpointing; pinpoints

transitive verb

1

: to locate or aim with great precision or accuracy

pinpoint a source

2

a

: to fix, determine, or identify with precision

pinpoint the cause

b

: to cause to stand out conspicuously : highlight

Synonyms of pinpoint

Adjective

• accurate
• precise
• mathematical
• exact

Verb

• identify
• find

Examples of pinpoint in a Sentence

Adjective

The pitcher showed pinpoint control of his fastball.

the pinpoint measurement of brain tumors is critically important

Verb

They were finally able to pinpoint the cause of the fire.

He pinpointed the city on the map.

Rescuers were able to pinpoint where the lost girl was.

The military uses computer imaging to pinpoint targets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ship overcame the engine failure and continued flying toward a pinpoint water landing in the Indian Ocean, but SpaceX had to skip an attempt to reignite a Raptor engine in space. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

The dots composing the words move up the screen while the rest of the pinpoints move downward, generating a visual opposition that the human mind can detect and discern. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Adjective

Maybe a thumbstick near the emergency brake would make pinpoint manual landings easier. — New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2025

Shaped like a compact disc and modeled after the brand’s Clear mask, this tiny tool delivers pinpoint treatment that helps calm and clear breakouts fast. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2025

Verb

Officials can’t pinpoint the exact source or sources of this outbreak but it is linked to contaminated fresh produce, with the Michigan officials pointing specifically to lettuce and bagged salad greens. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

To pinpoint the exact limitations of large-scale concrete 3D printers, the MIT team collaborated with machine operators at Autodesk’s Technology Center in Boston. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pinpoint

• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• standpoint
• viewpoint

Kids Definition

pinpoint

1 of 3 noun

pin·​point ˈpin-ˌpȯint 

1

: the point of a pin

2

: an extremely small or sharp point

a pinpoint of light in the darkness

pinpoint

2 of 3 verb

: to locate or identify exactly

pinpoint your career interests

pinpoint

3 of 3 adjective

1

: extremely fine or exact

pinpoint accuracy

2

: located, fixed, or directed with great exactness